Use a screen reader to work with templates in Word
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This article is for people who use a screen reader program such as Windows Narrator, JAWS, or NVDA with Windows tools or features and Microsoft 365 products. This article is part of the Accessibility help & learning content set where you can find more accessibility information on our apps. For general help, visit Microsoft Support.

Use Word with your keyboard and a screen reader to quickly write, for example, cover letters, resumes, and event flyers using accessible Word templates. You don’t need to worry about formatting and styles, those are ready for you in the template. We have tested it with Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA, but it might work with other screen readers as long as they follow common accessibility standards and techniques.

Notes: 

Create a new document from a template

In Word, you can find several accessible templates to quickly write reports, resumes, flyers, and more.

When the screen reader focus moves around the template, you hear the placeholder texts in the template form fields. You replace the placeholder texts in the form fields by simply typing your own texts.

The changes you make in a document that is based on a template won’t affect the original template. When you create a new document based on a template, it is always a separate file. So, remember to save your file.

For instructions on how to create your own template, refer to Create a template.

  1. Do one of the following:

    • Open Word. The focus is on the Blank document button. Press the Tab key until you hear with Narrator: "Hyperlink, more templates." With JAWS and NVDA, you hear: "More templates, link." Press Enter to select, and then press Alt+N, S.

    • If you're already editing a document and want to create a new one from a template, press Alt+F, N, S.

  2. The focus moves to the Search for online templates text field. Type “accessible templates,” and then press Enter. A page listing available accessible templates opens. To browse for a suitable template, use the arrow keys. You hear the template names as you go through them.

  3. To select a template, press Enter. The template preview opens, and you hear the template name. To start working with the document, press Enter. The document opens for editing.

  4. In the document, to move through the form fields, press the Up or Down arrow key, the Tab key, or Shift+Tab. Type your own content into the form fields. To delete a placeholder field you don't need, press Delete when the focus is on the field. You can also insert images to the document. For instructions, refer to Use a screen reader to insert a picture or image in Word.

  5. When you're done, save your work. For instructions on how to save a document, refer to Use a screen reader to save a document in Word.

See also

Use a screen reader to insert and change text in Word

Use a screen reader to insert a picture or image in Word

Keyboard shortcuts in Word

Basic tasks using a screen reader with Word

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Word

Technical support for customers with disabilities

Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.

If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.

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